Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States. It is primarily granite, with heavily forested slopes, but comparatively little vegetation on the rocky summit. Deep gorges cut into the eastern and northern faces. Huntington Ravine has long been a center for rock climbing in the northeast, and climbs of varying difficulties abound. Mount Washington is the site of a major winter and summer sporting area, and has a highway leading to a parking lot on the summit. Despite all this, however, Washington is not a mountain to be taken lightly. Weather near the summit is among the worst in the world, and can turn severe at a moment's notice. Average monthly wind velocity is nearly 45 mph, and average annual snowfall is 256 inches. During an average year, there are 104 days in which the wind exceeds hurricane force (75 mph). In fact, Mount Washington holds the world record for strongest recorded wind, 231 mph.